UECL: Shakhtar Survive Late AZ Scare to Reach Conference League Semis

Shakhtar stay unbeaten away in Europe, dump AZ out 5-2 on aggregate

Shakhtar Donetsk booked a Conference League semi-final spot for the first time since 2019/20 after a 2-2 second-leg draw with AZ Alkmaar secured a 5-2 aggregate win. Alisson Santana scored again before late goals from Jensen and Sin set up a nervy finish.

Shakhtar survive late AZ scare to reach Conference League semi-finals...

 

Shakhtar Donetsk are into a UEFA competition semi-final for the first time since 2019/20 after a 2-2 draw with AZ Alkmaar in their Conference League second leg secured a 5-2 aggregate win.

 

AZ interim boss Lee-Roy Echtold rang the changes from last week’s 3-0 loss, making six alterations with the KNVB Beker final against NEC Nijmegen set for Sunday.

Shakhtar’s commanding first-leg performance in Krakow last week left them in full control of the tie, with AZ needing a historic European comeback at home to advance.

But AZ failed to make any meaningful early dents in the deficit. Mexx Meerdink registered their first and only shot on target of the half just before the 15-minute mark, sending a tame effort straight at Dmytro Riznyk. Ibrahim Sadiq came inches from finding the far corner with a back-post header across goal right before the break, yet still couldn’t test the Ukrainian keeper.

 

AZ were at least more competitive than in the first leg, but Shakhtar still got into dangerous areas repeatedly on the counter. With a big lead to protect and no need to score, the visitors lacked sharpness and focus in the final third.

After the break, Shakhtar shifted up a gear, looking to kill off any lingering AZ hopes of a semi-final spot.

A goal felt inevitable from one of the Ukrainian side’s counters, and it arrived just before the hour. Alisson Santana, who bagged a brace in the first leg, scored again by tucking Kauã Elias’ pass into the bottom corner.

  

The home fans did have something to cheer midway through the half when Isak Jensen curled a fine close-range free-kick in off the post to level on the night.

Shakhtar through to semi-finals 🧡#UECL pic.twitter.com/bwd8sAO6eL

— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) April 16, 2026

  

They were off their seats again soon after when Matej Sin rifled a volley into the bottom corner, setting up a tense final 10 minutes as AZ threw players forward.

 

Ultimately, the mini-comeback came too late. Shakhtar even had the last word to seal a draw on the night, with Luca Meirelles finishing another rapid counter by slotting through Jeroen Zoet’s legs.

Let the party begin 🎉#UECL pic.twitter.com/93si5qRvIP

— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) April 16, 2026

The Miners were again tough to beat away from home in this season’s competition and are now unbeaten in all six UECL road games. AZ can take positives from their display despite going out, and now switch focus to this weekend’s KNVB Cup final against NEC Nijmegen, where victory would book a Europa League spot.